大象传媒

Introduction

This article has been submitted by Joseph Ritson, a volunteer story-gatherer for the 大象传媒 Radio Cumbria CSV Action Desk at the Whitehaven Maritime Festival, 24 - 26 June 2005. The Festival also incorporated the official county of Cumbria Commemoration for the 60th Anniversary of World War Two. The central part of these official events was a 鈥榁ictory Parade鈥� by the veterans, other ex-service personnel and existing service men and women from many nations.

Among those taking part in the Victory Parade were Mr John Lowrey and Mr Pat O鈥橞rien, both from Whitehaven, Cumbria. They are two of the last known survivors of those who were serving with the 鈥極ld 5th鈥� (5th Battalion TA, Border Regiment) at the time of the 1940 Dunkirk evacuation. Both gentlemen know the author and the terms of the 鈥淧eople鈥檚 War鈥� website are understood.

At the time of the 鈥榁ictory Parade鈥� in June 2005, John was 85 years old and Pat 90 years old. There were over 1000 World War Two veterans marching. John marched with his comrades in the Parade. Pat was assisted in the Parade by his son John O鈥橞rien.

John Lowrey

John told me his party was one of the last to leave the Dunkirk beaches. I believe this was on 3 June 1940.They had been a rear-guard and they were lucky to get away. They had immobilised all transport and had to leave any kit which couldn鈥檛 be carried.

John told me he remembered another of his comrades from the 5th Border Regiment called Pat McGuinness, who had repeatedly helped a lot of their comrades escape. He said Pat was one of the best musicians in the Battalion, and one of the best he had ever heard. Pat had tried to keep their morale up while they were crossing the Channel crossing back to Britain.

Later in the war, John returned to France when he took part in the Normandy landings. He is a member of the Normandy Veterans Association (West Cumbria Branch) and regularly attends commemorative services, meetings and social events they organise. In 2004, John returned to France with one of his family for the 60th Anniversary of the Normandy Landings.

Pat O鈥橞rien

In 2005, Pat celebrated his 90th birthday. He was originally in the 5th Battalion TA Border Regiment. Pat served right through the war years after being away on summer camp in 1939. He went to France early in 1940, and was also involved in the Dunkirk evacuation.

At various times during World War Two, Pat was with the 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th Battalions of the Border Regiment. This meant he visited many different countries during the war. Pat was at Monte Cassino (Italy), North Africa (including El Alamein), Greece and as already mentioned, France.

While he was in Greece, Pat met his wife Angelina and at the time of the Parade (June 2005), Pat and Angelina had been married almost 60 years. Angelina told me that because of the different civil and religious laws in Greece, they had actually had three separate wedding ceremonies. They were well and truly married!

Conclusion

Both John and Pat were proud to take part in Cumbria鈥檚 official 鈥榁ictory Parade鈥� commemorating the 60th Anniversary of World War Two. It must have been a great honour for both of them for their efforts during the war years. I am pleased to submit this article to honour these two fine gentlemen. My thanks to both of them for sharing some of their memories.

Some general details of the World War Two experiences of the 5th Battalion Border Regiment, and indeed the rest of the Border Regiment, can be found in a book published by Leo Cooper Ltd in 1972 entitled 鈥楾ried and Valiant鈥� by Douglas Sutherland (ISBN 0 85052 042 8). Although at the time of writing this article (July 2005) it is out of print, there are copies available in the Cumbria County Archives Offices.

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